The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is inviting history enthusiasts and culture-focused travelers to a unique online event: the Travel Webinar: Battle of Normandy and Liberation of Paris. Scheduled for July 25, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CT, this free virtual program unmasks the extraordinary stories behind some of France’s most significant World War II sites—which continue to draw visitors from around the globe thanks to their profound historical and cultural legacy.

Presented by the museum’s Educational Travel Team, battlefield expert Sylvain Kast and tour manager Melanie Moreau will guide participants through a preview of the upcoming travel itinerary, sharing unique perspectives from their years of in-the-field experience. They will detail the historical significance of each stop along the journey—to Normandy’s iconic D-Day beaches, the medieval treasures of Bayeux and Rouen, and the poignant sites of wartime Paris.

Inside the Battle of Normandy and Paris Liberation Tour

The Battle of Normandy in June 1944 marked the beginning of the end for Nazi occupation in Western Europe. The Allied invasion—famously known as D-Day—brought about a massive military operation landing 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces along the 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline. Sites like Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Sainte-Mère-Église stand today as somber yet inspiring reminders of the bravery and sacrifice displayed during liberation.

The upcoming tour explores these powerful locations, offering participants the chance to stand where soldiers made history. It includes in-depth visits to:

• Omaha Beach: Scene of some of D-Day’s fiercest battles, where American troops faced intense German resistance.
• Pointe du Hoc: The dramatic cliff scaled by U.S. Army Rangers under relentless enemy fire.
• Sainte-Mère-Église: The first town liberated by Allied forces, immortalized by the paratrooper whose parachute caught on the church tower.
• Bayeux: Home to the legendary Bayeux Tapestry and the first city liberated in mainland France.
• Rouen: A medieval city with significant wartime and cultural history, including the restored Rouen Cathedral.

The tour concludes with three nights in Paris. Here, travelers will visit sites chronicling both the city’s occupation and its jubilant release in August 1944—culminating with the entry of French and Allied forces along the Champs-Élysées, a moment that symbolized hope for a war-torn continent.

The Value of Educational Travel

The National WWII Museum has established itself as a leader in memorializing and interpreting one of the 20th century’s most pivotal conflicts. Their educational travel programs blend expert-guided storytelling with immersive site visits to foster a deep, personal connection to history. According to recent data from the U.S. Tour Operators Association, interest in historical travel has surged—particularly among multigenerational groups seeking meaningful, transformative experiences.

During the upcoming webinar, attendees will learn how the trip goes far beyond a typical sightseeing tour. Participants will engage with firsthand accounts, original artifacts, and lesser-known stories of heroism and resilience. By pairing destinations such as Normandy’s windswept beaches with the vibrancy of post-occupation Paris, the journey offers an unparalleled narrative arc and a chance to reflect on the ongoing lessons of World War II.

Why World War II Travel Continues to Inspire

80 years after D-Day, Western Europe’s liberation remains a touchstone for international memory and diplomacy. Annual commemorations in Normandy regularly attract heads of state, veterans, and visitors from over a dozen countries. In June 2024, the region hosted milestone 80th-anniversary events that brought together global leaders—from U.S. President Joe Biden to France’s Emmanuel Macron—spotlighting Normandy’s enduring status as a symbol of freedom.

France has also invested in the preservation and accessibility of its wartime monuments, improving visitor infrastructure at sites such as the Normandy American Cemetery and the Memorial de Caen museum. According to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Normandy alone sees upwards of 2 million tourists annually, many of whom participate in WWII-themed tours and events.

In Paris, ongoing efforts to honor Resistance fighters and civilian stories have enriched the travel experience even further. Museums like the Musée de la Libération de Paris and immersive walking tours bring the struggles and celebrations of 1944 vividly to life.

How to Join the Webinar and Learn More

The live broadcast of the Travel Webinar: Battle of Normandy and Liberation of Paris will be held online on July 25, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CT. Registration is complimentary and open to anyone with an interest in history, education, or travel. For those unable to attend the live session, a recording will be made available afterward.

• Register for the Webinar
• Contact the Educational Travel Team Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT at 1-877-813-3329 x 257, or travel@nationalww2museum.org
• Find additional details about the upcoming tour and other travel programs at the official tour page.

Whether you are a seasoned traveler, a student of history, or someone seeking to walk in the footsteps of the past, this immersive program promises insights and experiences that endure long beyond the journey itself.